Protect yourself when dealing with violent patients
Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, October 22, 2007
Anger is an emotion-nothing more and nothing less. It's a very powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance, or disappointment. It is a normal human emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage.
Here are some tips for handling a patient who seems frustrated, angry, and on the way to becoming violent:
- Avoid threatening behaviors. Threatening behaviors may increase fear or prompt assault.
- Avoid shouting. If the person is not listening to you, raising your voice may not help.
- Avoid criticizing. This might escalate the situation.
- Avoid standing over the patient. Keep a comfortable distance and put yourself as the same level as the patient. If he or she is seated, seat yourself.
- Don't back yourself or the patient into a corner.
Source: Stressed Out About Difficult Patients, HCPro Inc., 2007. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com
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